High School Graduation OR be 19 years old on the first day of classes
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 overall (no sub-score less than 6.0)
TOEFL iBT score of 78 overall (no sub-score less than 19)
PTE Academic score of 54 overall (no sub-score less than 50)
Cambridge Assessment of English: C1 Advanced score of 174 overall (no sub-score less than 169)
CAEL CE score of 60 overall (no sub-score less than 60)
GTEC CBT score of 1200 overall (minimum sub-scores: Reading 325; Writing 270; Speaking 260; Listening 335)
Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 105 for General Admission to most Certificate and Diploma programs, and Bachelor of Business Administration programs (exceptions: Nursing and certain other Health-related programs). Score of 115 for admission to Post-Degree programs (all majors) and Degree programs offered by Centre for Sport and Exercise Education.
Technical expertise, analytical precision, and exceptional service
Certified Medical Laboratory Assistants are front-line healthcare workers responsible for collecting human blood, body fluids, and physiologic data used by physicians to diagnose medical conditions. As part of the Interdisciplinary Healthcare Team, Certified Medical Laboratory Assistants are valued for their careful attention to detail and compassionate treatment of patients and clients.
What You'll Learn
The Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant program prepares you for employment in the health care field. You'll learn about specimen collection and safety, laboratory procedures and techniques, legal and ethical guidelines, human anatomy and physiology, as well as customer service and patient management with emphasis on the human and cultural diversity encountered in the Canadian Healthcare System.
Work in health care
The full-time Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant Program is a comprehensive one-year, entry-level certificate in pre-analytic laboratory sciences. This program prepares graduates for their role as integral members of the healthcare team by providing a broad foundation in laboratory science theory integrated with authentic simulation environments and workplace clinical practicums. Students learn to incorporate exemplary patient and client-centric behaviours while mastering the techniques of blood collection (phlebotomy), analytical sample collection, and sample preparation. Students learn to collect and process data required for diagnostic investigations.
Applied learning
Prepare for your role as an integral member of the healthcare team by learning a strong foundation in laboratory science theory integrated with authentic simulation environments and workplace clinical practicums. You’ll learn to incorporate exemplary patient and client-centric behaviours while mastering the techniques of blood collection (phlebotomy), analytical sample collection, and sample preparation.
In demand
Aging populations with complex care needs, constant additions of new testing services, and expanding scopes of practice result in a constant demand for new laboratory professionals.
New economic growth in BC is responsible for nearly half of all future job opportunities in this flexible and accessible program.
More info: Click here
Academic Term 1
In your first term, you’ll dive right into learning phlebotomy by actually performing venipuncture and capillary collections on your fellow classmates – and they on you! Using many of the skills you learn about workplace communication and patient management, you’ll practice your new skills during labs in authentic simulation environments. During this term, you’ll also have the opportunity to develop or strengthen your understanding of Indigenous people and learn more about their worldviews.
All of , AHLT 104, Professional Communication for Allied Health, 2
, AHLT 112, Patient Management for Allied Health, 3
, IST 120*, Introduction to Indigenous Peoples, 3
, MLAB 117, Medical Laboratory Procedures 1, 3
, MLAB 121, Laboratory & Phlebotomy Skills 1, 3
, MLAB 139, Pre-Analytics & Laboratory Principles, 3
Academic Term 2
In your second term, you’ll delve deeper into technical laboratory skill development to further build your knowledge and develop your practice capabilities. You’ll develop and enhance your teamwork and communication skills by participating in Interdisciplinary activities, expand your understanding of diagnostic science in laboratory pathophysiology and learn how to perform electrocardiograms—a required practice capability for Certified Medical Laboratory Assistants in British Columbia.
All of , AHLT 134, Legal & Professional Ethics in Allied Health, 2
, HLSC 264, Interprofessional Practices, 3
, MIDS 167, Basic Electrocardiography, 3
, MLAB 147, Medical Laboratory Procedures 2, 3
, MLAB 151, Laboratory & Phlebotomy Skills 2, 3
, MLAB 173, Laboratory Pathophysiology, 3
Academic Term 3
During your final term, you’ll participate in a 7-week clinical practicum designed to ensure that you meet the BCSLS provincial and CSMLS national entry-to-practice requirements. You’ll demonstrate your capabilities under the supervision of designated employees working as qualified Medical Laboratory Assistants and Technologists.
Note Practicum availability depends on site capacity, training staff, and future job opportunities; we cannot guarantee exact locations of site placements on Vancouver Island.
All of , PRAC 180, CMLA Clinical Practicum, 3
As a Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant, you’ll first find employment as a phlebotomist, diagnostic assistant, technical assistant, pathology assistant, or in pre-analytical specimen preparation. Further professional opportunities for the Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant exist in management, quality control and assurance, education, informatics, and research.
Most graduates begin with casual positions, transitioning into regular employment within a year or two. Shifts vary from 7.5 to 12 hours and you will work day, evening and night shifts.
Medical Insurance - CAD $900 per year
